Why the Heavy Pessimism about 2008?

As I glance through the headlines that pop up in my browser's home page a common thought has struck me: the world (or at least it's journalists) have yet to hear and embrace true hope -- hope in Jesus Christ. 

To read the headlines, 2008 was a dismal year. Too long. Full of war. Full of financial doom. All fretting over things that really only matter in light of Jesus Christ. And in that light, we have to ask ourselves how well we're doing upholding the dignity God gave us.

Jesus our Christ came to reveal to us our own God-given potential, our beauty, our dignity. And regardless of how well we're doing in that regard, the weight of any burdens we bear into 2009 is infinitesimal compared with the uplifting that running toward Christ brings us.

Come on, folks! Life is a pilgrim's journey. We are, at best, lodgers at inn beside the road toward our true home -- Jesus our Christ.

For this coming year, let's seek to find and serve Jesus in each person we meet. Then we will be like the wise men -- traveling far, sacrificing much, gaining eternal life.